Who else? With Tigers fans clamoring for him for more than half the season, they get a good look today, as Jefferson will make his first career start. Whether he's ready or not, offensive coordinator Gary Crowton will have to devise a game plan that plays to his strengths yet doesn't ask him to carry too much of the load. Jefferson probably will rely on his instincts and take off running at the first sign of pressure, which might not be a bad thing -- but he does have a stronger arm than Jarrett Lee and made some good throws against Ole Miss.

ARKANSAS QB NATHAN DICK: LSU's quarterback troubles pale in comparison to Arkansas', and now there's a soap-opera element. Senior Casey Dick has been benched, and his brother, redshirt freshman Nathan, has taken the reins. He completed 25 of 43 passes for 333 yards and three touchdowns against Mississippi State in his first career start last week.

KEY MATCHUP

LSU FS DANNY McCRAY VS. ARKANSAS TE D.J. WILLIAMS

It's unusual that a tight end is a team's leading receiver, but Williams is a good one and can't be taken lightly. McCray has struggled in coverage when he gets matched up with speedier wide receivers, but he's one of the smarter defensive backs and is fundamentally sound. Going against Williams might be better for him, though Williams, a 6-foot-2, 250-pound sophomore, has caught 53 passes for 672 yards and three touchdowns. Nathan Dick will be looking for Williams when he gets into trouble and especially on third down. Of Williams' 53 catches, 27 have resulted in first downs.

GAME PLAN

LSU's offensive game plan will be centered around Jefferson. That means plenty of Charles Scott, Keiland Williams and Richard Murphy running the ball, with a dash of Trindon Holliday. Arkansas is going to try and rattle Jefferson with pressure and disguised defenses. LSU will have to keep Jefferson's options limited, and his teammates have to stand up and take some accountability around him. The wide receivers will have to stop dropping passes, because nothing with sap Jefferson's confidence more than a well-thrown dropped pass. Likewise, the offensive line will have to make room for the runners to keep LSU in short-yardage plays on third down. The Hogs probably will be without run-stopping linebacker Wendel Davis, who is doubtful with a leg injury. Defensively, it's almost the same. LSU should be coming after Nathan Dick to see how much pressure he can handle. LSU gets a big break with Razorbacks running back Michael Smith not likely to play because of a hamstring injury

BY THE NUMBERS
㏕: Pass attempts by Lee, a freshman record.
ԡ-4: LSU's record in road games under Miles.
ի.9: LSU opponents' red-zone scoring percentage, worst in the SEC.
ˆ: Interceptions by LSU, fewest in the SEC.
ԟ: Interceptions by Arkansas, seventh most in the SEC.
Ժ.4: Average yards per kickoff return allowed by Arkansas, worst in the SEC.
ˆ: Combined margin of defeat in three of Arkansas' six SEC losses.
Ւ: Combined margin of defeat in three of LSU's four conference losses.

ODDS AND ENDS

Jefferson is the first true freshman to start at quarterback since Herb Tyler started four games in 1995. . . . Scott needs a 100-yard rushing game to tie the one-season high of eight by Kevin Faulk (1996), Charles Alexander (1977) and Steve Van Buren (1943). . . . LSU will be trying to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since 2002 when the Tigers closed the season with a 21-20 loss at Arkansas and a 35-20 defeat by Texas in the Cotton Bowl. . . . The loss to Ole Miss last week means LSU still is seeking its 700th all-time victory, a milestone reached by 11 other schools. . . . With four losses, LSU has fallen out of the top 25 for the first time since 2002.

FROM THE COACH'S MOUTH

"I can't imagine that there will be a letdown. I hope that they'll have the pent-up frustration, and they want to play very strongly. I can't imagine that there will be a letdown. I think this team needs victory." -- LSU Coach Les Miles.